It brings new meaning to the term “sphere of influence.”
MSG’s soon-to-open immersive concert venue in Las Vegas kicked off Independence Day with a major bang, transforming the Las Vegas skyline with a captivating video display on its rounded, 580,000-square-foot LED exterior.
It is the largest LED screen on Earth.
Sphere, as it’s known, officially said “Hello World” during a dazzling array of fireworks and patriotic animations before it jumped to showing crystal clear underwater scenes.
Sphere — whose cameras have been tested onboard the ISS — showed the lunar surface on its outer Exosphere as well.
Sphere, MSG’s first venture outside the Empire State, is slated to be a 20,000-capacity venue that was originally budgeted at $1.2 billion.
“The Exosphere is more than a screen or a billboard – it is living architecture, and unlike anything that exists anywhere in the world,” said Guy Barnett, Sphere’s SVP brand strategy and creative development.
He was quick to add that the “show provided a glimpse of the Exosphere’s captivating power, and the possibilities for artists, partners and brands to create compelling and impactful stories to connect with audiences in new ways.”
The Exosphere’s anatomy is comprised of an estimated 1.2 million LED pucks — each with 48 light emitting diodes — which are kept 8 inches apart.
They can each vividly display over 256 million different colors in what the company says is “creating a vivid new landmark on the Las Vegas skyline.”
“The extraordinary experiences we can create are only limited by imagination, and we’re thrilled to finally share with the world the spectacular potential of the Exosphere,” added David Hopkinson, president and COO of MSG Sports.
Throughout the upcoming months and ahead of opening night Sept. 29 with U2’s debut show, more light displays will be produced for the viewing public in Sin City, which sees about 40 million people per year.
In October it will also play a prominent role in the venue’s “Postcard From Earth,” an immersive experience bound to stimulate almost all the senses of attendees. During the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix in November, the Exosphere will also be showing the race for passersby to see.
“Sphere’s Exosphere is a 360-degree canvas for brand storytelling that will be seen around the world, offering our partners an unparalleled opportunity to become part of the greatest show on Earth,” Hopkinson added.
